Handball 2016 Rio Olympic Review

Men's Event The twelve teams were split into two groups of six. In Group A, the top three seeds qualified for the knockout stages, with Croatia finishing top. They won four games, the same as France, but overcame France to finish top of the group, after edging them 29-28. The bigger shock came in Group B where Sweden were knocked out. Once again two teams won four games, with Germany finishing on top of Slovenia. Croatia were defeated in the quarter finals by Poland, who featured the tournament's top goal scorer, Karol Bielecki. Germany cruised through to the semi-finals, where they came up against France, who edged them out by a point. Poland took on Denmark, who beat Slovenia in the quarter final and then Poland in the semi final, having the game go into overtime. In the gold medal match, Denmark beat France, led by eight points from Mikkel Hansen.

🥇Denmark 🇩🇰

🥈France 🇫🇷

🥉Germany 🇩🇪

Women’s Event

In Group A, it was a Brazilian surprise as the home nation topped the group. Also surprising was the performance of Angola, who qualified in third, resulting in Romania, bronze medallists at the 2015 World Championships, being knocked out in the group. The four European nations made there way out of Group B, led by Russia. Brazil could not continue the hot streak and were knocked out in the quarter finals by the Netherlands. The other ties went to form as France, Norway and Russia qualified. France beat Netherlands 24-23, whilst in another tight semi final, Russia beat Norway in overtime 38-37. It was the hot hand of Laura Glauser, who saved 41% of shots, which kept France winning but it would not be enough in the final, as Russia defeated them 22-19.

🥇Russia 🇷🇺

🥈France 🇫🇷

🥉Norway 🇳🇴